NHTSA vehicle safety data

2002 Saturn LS Recalls & Complaints

The 2002 Saturn LS has 3 NHTSA recall campaigns and 493 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Saturn dealer.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2002 Saturn LS. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

Pre-purchase inspection checklist → Reliability & 5-year cost forecast →

2002 Saturn LS owner complaints

Owners have filed 493 complaints with NHTSA about the 2002 Saturn LS, describing incidents dated July 14, 2001 to March 28, 2023.

Most-cited components

Engine 242 complaints
Electrical System 102 complaints
Exterior Lighting 69 complaints
Fuel/Propulsion System 45 complaints
Power Train 26 complaints
Suspension 18 complaints

Of the 493 complaints on file, 12 report a crash and 12 a fire; across all 493 complaints, owners report 8 injuries (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

ODI #11519745 · Filed May 1, 2023
Rear tail lights will not work. Have checked all fuses relays,and even changed the turn signal switch. My car is currently at the garage. Original appointment was only for inspection. Mechanic has not yet located the issue. Also has no dash lights. Parking lights. Had I known this in advance would…
ODI #11515269 · Filed April 3, 2023
The contact owns a 2002 Saturn J-Type. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle's brake lights failed to illuminate. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 05V245000 (Exterior Lighting), however, the part to do the recall repair is no longer being…
ODI #11470765 · Filed June 23, 2022
The same thing is happening to my car that happened to many Saturn owners of the same year. The car is turning but only stays on for a few seconds before shutting off. This seems to be the same as the ignition module and spark plugs issue as it is the same symptoms as those people were experiencing.

Read all 493 complaints

Owner-reported

2002 Saturn LS mileage at failure

387 of the 493 complaints on file for the 2002 Saturn LS give the vehicle's mileage when the problem happened.

Mileage at failure by component, from owners' complaints to NHTSA
Component	Median	Middle half	Based on
Engine	Median 80,000 miles	Middle half 65,000–105,000 miles	Based on 220 complaints
Electrical System	Median 75,000 miles	Middle half 45,000–110,000 miles	Based on 65 complaints
Exterior Lighting	Median 60,000 miles	Middle half 30,000–90,000 miles	Based on 42 complaints
Fuel/Propulsion System	Median 75,000 miles	Middle half 65,000–100,000 miles	Based on 38 complaints

A component's median is its 50th percentile, and its middle half runs from its 25th to its 75th percentile.

Owners give the mileage themselves, often as a round number, and NHTSA doesn't check it. A complaint that names several components counts under each one, and mileages that can't be right, such as 999,999, or 50 miles on a five-year-old car, are left out.

These figures describe the complaints owners filed. They don't predict when a particular vehicle will have a problem, and vehicles that never had one aren't counted.

Complaints received before December 15, 2002 rarely give a mileage, so they aren't counted here.

Mileage from NHTSA's complaints file of October 31, 2026. How these figures are worked out

NHTSA defect investigations

NHTSA's investigations file lists the 2002 Saturn LS in 8 investigations. A listed model year means only that an investigation names it; it says nothing about any particular vehicle. An open investigation is not a finding that a safety defect exists, and NHTSA can close one without a recall.

Preliminary Evaluation PE09-028: FUEL PUMP LEAKS
Closed October 27, 2009
Preliminary Evaluation PE08-061: TIMING CHAIN BREAKS, ENGINE STALL
Closed April 8, 2009
Defect Petition DP08-002: TIMING CHAIN FAILURE-STALL
Closed October 16, 2008
Preliminary Evaluation PE06-006: TIMING CHAIN FAILURE
Closed June 6, 2006
Defect Petition DP05-008: TIMING CHAIN FAILURE
Closed February 6, 2006

3 more NHTSA investigations

Preliminary Evaluation PE05-010: INOPERATIVE TAIL LAMPS
Closed June 3, 2005
- Recall 05V-245
Defect Petition DP05-001: INOPERATIVE TAIL LAMPS
Closed February 22, 2005
Preliminary Evaluation PE03-017: HEADLAMPS FLICKER OFF AND ON
Closed August 25, 2003

Open and recently closed NHTSA defect investigations

REAR TAIL LAMP ASSEMBLY

NHTSA #05V245000 · Exterior Lighting — Brake Lights · NHTSA notice

Reported June 2, 2005 · GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

Potentially affected: 291,652 vehicles

Manufacturer campaign 05052 · Owners notified October 17, 2005 · Vehicles built May 1, 2001 – June 30, 2002 (per NHTSA) · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation

Defect description

ON CERTAIN SEDANS AND WAGONS, THE PLASTIC HOUSING IN THE REAR TAIL LAMP ASSEMBLY CAN BECOME DISTORTED IF THE BRAKE LAMPS REMAIN ON FOR AN EXTENDED TIME.

Safety consequence

THIS CAN CAUSE (1) AN INTERMITTENTLY INOPERATIVE BRAKE/TAIL LAMP BULB OR (2) A SHORT CIRCUIT THAT OPENS A FUSE CAUSING INOPERATIVE BRAKE LAMPS (INCLUDING THE CENTER HIGH-MOUNTED STOP LAMP) OR TAIL LAMPS. A FOLLOWING DRIVER MAY NOT KNOW WHEN THE BRAKES HAVE BEEN APPLIED, AND A REAR-END CRASH COULD OCCUR WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL TWO NEW TAIL LAMP REINFORCING SOCKET ADAPTERS AND SOCKETS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 17, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SATURN AT 1-800-972-8876.

Notes

GM RECALL NO. 05052.CUSTOMERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.

SIDE REAR SEAT BELT ANCHOR/FMVSS 210

NHTSA #05V158000 · Seat Belts · NHTSA notice

Reported April 20, 2005 · GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

Potentially affected: 20,701 vehicles

Manufacturer campaign 05041 · Owners notified April 25, 2005 · Vehicles built June 1, 2001 – June 30, 2002 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

CERTAIN WAGONS FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 210, "SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY ANCHORAGES." THE SEAT BELT ANCHOR MAY SEPARATE FROM THE FLOOR OF THE VEHICLE BEFORE HOLDING THE REQUIRED TEST LOAD FOR THE REQUIRED TIME.

Safety consequence

IF A SEPARATION OCCURRED IN CRASH, THE RIGHT AND CENTER REAR SEAT OCCUPANTS MAY NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED, INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL A REAR SEAT CENTER BELT ANCHOR REINFORCEMENT PLATE TO THE FLOOR PAN OF THE VEHICLE FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 25, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SATURN AT 1-800-972-8876.

Notes

GM RECALL NO. 05041. CUSTOMERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.

GM/IGNITION CONTROL MODULE

NHTSA #03V231000 · Electrical System — Ignition — Module · NHTSA notice

Reported June 23, 2003 · GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

Potentially affected: 239,993 vehicles

Manufacturer campaign 03033/03-C-06 · Owners notified July 1, 2003 · Vehicles built July 31, 2000 – June 11, 2001 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 2.2L L4 (L61) ENGINES, A FAILURE OF THE IGNITION CONTROL MODULE MAY CAUSE DETERIORATION IN IDLE QUALITY, REDUCTION IN OVERALL ENGINE POWER, AND THE VEHICLE MAY BE HARD TO START. CONTINUED OPERATION OF THE VEHICLE AFTER SUCH AN IGNITION MODULE FAILURE WILL RESULT IN THE "SERVICE ENGINE SOON" LIGHT FLASHING, AND MAY LEAD TO SECONDARY FAILURES OF THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER, OXYGEN SENSOR, AND EXHAUST RESONATOR.

Safety consequence

FAILURE OF THE RESONATOR WILL CAUSE INCREASED EXHAUST NOISE. PROLONGED OPERATION OF THE VEHICLE FOLLOWING A RESONATOR FAILURE MAY LEAD TO A FIRE.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL (1) REPLACE THE IGNITION CONTROL MODULE, (2) REPLACE THE IGNITION CONTROL MODULE AND SPARK PLUGS, OR (3) REPLACE THE IGNITION CONTROL MODULE, SPARK PLUGS, AND UPDATE THE POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE CALIBRATION. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON AUGUST 4, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT SATURN AT 1-800-553-6000, PROMPT 3.

Notes

GM RECALL NO. 03033/SATURN RECALL NO. 03-C-06.CUSTOMERS CAN ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

try.vin has no NCAP crash-test rating on file for the 2002 Saturn LS. NHTSA rates some vehicles by body style — pickups by cab, vans by roof height — so check nhtsa.gov/ratings.

493 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2002 Saturn LS.

Electrical System; Exterior Lighting

ODI #11519745

Incident: December 29, 2022 · Filed: May 1, 2023

Rear tail lights will not work. Have checked all fuses relays,and even changed the turn signal switch. My car is currently at the garage. Original appointment was only for inspection. Mechanic has not yet located the issue. Also has no dash lights. Parking lights. Had I known this in advance would have returned car immediately.

Electrical System; Unknown or Other

ODI #11515269

Incident: March 28, 2023 · Filed: April 3, 2023

The contact owns a 2002 Saturn J-Type. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle's brake lights failed to illuminate. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 05V245000 (Exterior Lighting), however, the part to do the recall repair is no longer being manufactured. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 118,000.

Engine

ODI #11470765

Incident: June 23, 2022 · Filed: June 23, 2022

The same thing is happening to my car that happened to many Saturn owners of the same year. The car is turning but only stays on for a few seconds before shutting off. This seems to be the same as the ignition module and spark plugs issue as it is the same symptoms as those people were experiencing.

Engine

ODI #11395636

Incident: November 25, 2020 · Filed: February 10, 2021

ENGINE STALLED WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS AROUND 65-70 MPH. ENGINE COULD NOT BE RESTARTED AND HAD TO BE TOWED BACK HOME. MECHANIC INSPECTION REVEALED COMPLETE LOSS OF COMPRESSION IN TWO CYLINDERS AND PARTIAL COMPRESSION LOSS IN OTHER TWO. ENGINE WAS PERMANENTLY DAMAGED AND WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED OR REBUILT AT HIGH COST IN THE THOUSANDS. ENGINE HAD 102,057 MILES AT TIME OF FAILURE.

Electrical System

ODI #11325941

Incident: May 26, 2020 · Filed: May 26, 2020

MECHANIC FOUND SHORT CIRCUIT IN TAIL LAMP ASSEMBLIES CAUSING BRAKE LIGHTS TO COME ON, AND STAY ON, WHEN HEADLAMPS DO. *TR

Steering; Service Brakes; Engine

ODI #11257582

Incident: September 19, 2019 · Filed: September 24, 2019

VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION AT 30 MPH ON CITY STREET, ENGINE COMPLETELY STOPPED WORKING WITH LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND POWER BRAKES. COASTED VEHICLE TO A SIDE STREET & STOPPED. HAD CAR TOWED TO A MECHANIC. WE WERE QUOTED $1700 BILL TO REPAIR DUE TO BROKEN TIMING CHAIN. RESEARCHED RECALLS AND FOUND THAT NHTSA HAD A RECALL #07V519000 FOR 2001 SATURN L100. THIS SEEMS GROSSLY SHORTSIGHTED ON THE PART OF NHTSA, AS THERE HAVE BEEN DOZENS OF DUPLICATE COMPLAINTS. THIS PROMPTED THE STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA CONSUMERS COUNCIL TO ISSUE A DEFECT PETITION FOR 2000-2003 SATURN L SERIES WITH THE 2.2L ENGINE WITH THE NHTSA. IT IS SURPRISING HOW LITTLE EFFORT THE NHTSA HAS MADE IN LIGHT OF THE SCOPE OF THIS PROBLEM.

Power Train; Electrical System; Electronic Stability Control (ESC)

ODI #11114655

Incident: March 1, 2016 · Filed: July 30, 2018

TAKATA RECALL VEHICLE IN PARK WHEN STARTED. LIGHTS DIM AN GO BRIGHT ON DASH. FAN GOES ON WHEN MOTOR NOT HOT. WHEN FAN GOES ON AND CAR IS BEING DRIVEN CAR WILL JUMP WHEN CAR SHIFTS GEARS. I ONLY CAN DRIVE ON SIDE ROADS. TO NERVOUS TO GO ON HIGHWAY NOW. ONLY HAPPENS WHEN COOLING FAN IS ON. I HAVE SEEN LOTS OF REPORTS THAT PEOPLE POST OF OTHER CARS LIKE MINE HAVING SAME ISSUES. WAS TOLD THEY REPORTED IT. NOTHING WAS DONE. SERIOUSLY THIS NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED. SHOULDN'T MATTER WERE THE CAR WAS MADE. PARTS ARE THE SAME. I HAVEN'T BROUGHT IT IN SINCE 2017. I DON'T HAVE MONEY FOR REPAIRS OR FIX IT IF IT'S THE MANUFACTURS FAULTY PARTS. I'VE ALREADY PUT 1400 DOLLARS FOR REPLACEMENT OF FUEL PUMP AN OTHER PARTS. AN THIS PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF AN WHEN YOU CAN LOOK INTO THIS ISSUE.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic; Structure; Fuel/Propulsion System

ODI #11073072

Incident: February 8, 2018 · Filed: February 15, 2018

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SATURN LS. WHILE PUMPING FUEL INTO THE FUEL TANK, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT FUEL WAS LEAKING OUT OF THE TANK. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE LEAKAGE SEEMED TO COME FROM THE TUBE, BUT WAS NOT COMPLETELY SURE. THE CONTACT ALSO NOTICED THAT THE BRAKE LINES WERE RUSTED. THE CONTACT RESEARCHED THE FAILURE ONLINE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE SERVICE ENGINE INDICATOR WAS ILLUMINATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 117,000.

Steering; Electrical System

ODI #11056381

Incident: December 23, 2017 · Filed: December 26, 2017

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

Engine

ODI #11047853

Incident: November 13, 2017 · Filed: November 21, 2017

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SATURN LS. WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TIMING BELT FRACTURED AND THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 161,000.

Other Saturn LS model years

Check your 2002 Saturn LS VIN

Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Saturn LS at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

Check a Saturn VIN